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Fonseca 1975 tasted on 1st September 2007 in St. Helens. Tasted that evening were Fonseca 1920, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1992, and 2000. Also see the review describing the evening as a whole.

From the cellar of Derek T., for which he accepted only £31.

Purchased from Seckford wines in 2006 along with 3 others.

Intact lead capsule. Level is well into the neck and less than 2cm below the base of the cork.

Decanted at 07:40 on 1 Sep 07. Cork came out intact. Lots of sediment but surprisingly dark for a 75.

One of the ‘off’ years, and not comparable to the big five. Nonetheless, redder than 1980 and 1983, bright, nosing of alcohol. Surprisingly solid compared to my prejudice about 1975s, hot, and—according to ARK—nosing of nutmeg.

Lovely colour - bright and very red - heat on the nose. Predominent taste is dark cherry with a nice long finish. I really liked this wine, a real fire-side treat on a cold winter night. Not in the same class as some if the company here but, for me, head and shoulders above the 80 ad 92.

Derek

I've not been sure whether to rank F75 as a winner or loser - from a very divided vintage..

Looks like the answer is: buy - but don't spend too much!

Tom

Not sure I'd put it miles ahead of 1980 which I thought was a very palatable if slightly lighter Port. Both were well ahead of the disappointing 1992.

Fonseca 1992 I'm very disappointed in you. (Paraphrasing my House head, Miss Jones, here.)